Coil unreeler



May 27, 1969 H. G. TETENS 3,446,452

COIL UNREELER Filed Aug. 23, 1967 Zverzr far'fd .759562251 um@ Q Pneu@ May 27, 1969 H. G. TETENs 3,446,452

COIL UNREELER Filed Aug. 23, 1957 sheet 2 of 2 h/zofcah United States Filed Aug. 23, 1967, Ser. No. 662,603 Int. Cl. B65h 75/30 U.S. Cl. 242-75.43 11 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DHSCLOSURE A coil unreeler for dispensing steel strapping having braking means for braking the reel and associated means for accelerating the reel from standstill to facilitate initiation of a dispensing operation.

This invention relates to coil unreelersand in particular to unreelers for dispensing steel strapping and the like.

Coiled material, such as steel strapping, presents a serious problem in the dispensing thereof in that the relatively heavy weight of the coil produces an inertial resistance to initiation and termination of an unreeling operation. On stopping, the resultant momentum causes the reel to continue its rotation thus making it diticult to withdraw an accurately controlled desired quantity of the coiled material. A number of coil unreelers have been developed attempting to solve this problem. One excellent example of one such unreeler is that shown in the Falck- Pedersen United States Patent No. 2,905,406, issued Sept. 22, 1959, and owned by the assignee hereof. The present invention comprehends an improved coil unreeler generally of the type disclosed in said patent, but having further improved and simplified coil-unreeling control means.

Thus, a principal feature of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved coil unreeler apparatus.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of such an apparatus having new and improved coil-unreeling control means.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of such a coil unreeler apparatus wherein the coil-unreeling control means is extremely simple and economical.

A yet further feature of the invention is the provision of such a coil unreeler apparatus wherein the coilunreeling control means comprises a rocker arm actuated by the tensional forces in the withdrawn coil material to mechanically operate the reel braking means and the reel accelerating means.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of such a coil unreeler apparatus including a rocker arm having a. pivot portion supported for pivoting of the rocker arm about a preselected axis, a first arm portion extending from the pivot portion and rotatably carrying a dancer roller for engagement by the withdrawn material to pivot the rocker arm in a lirst direction about the pivot axis as an incident of a tensional unreeling force applied to the material beyond the dancer roller, and a second arm portion extending from the pivot portion, first connecting means connecting the first arm portion to the braking means to release the braking means when the rocker arm is pivoted in the rst direction, and second connecting means connecting the second arm portion to the coil supporting means to accelerate the coil from atent O 3,446,452 Patented May 27, 1969 Ice standstill as a result of the rocker arm the rst direction.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of such a coil unreeler aparatus having new and improved means for effecting a release of the braking means prior to application of an acceleration force to the reel at standstill.

yOther features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE l is a side elevation of a coil unreeler ernbodying the invention, with the rocker arm and dancer roller being shown in alternate positions in broken and full lines;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevation thereof; and

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged section taken substantially along the line 3 3 of FIGURE 2.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in the drawings, a coil unreeler generally designated 10 is shown to comprise a base 11 and an upstanding pedestal 12. A reel assembly generally designated 13 includes a first reel plate 14 provided with a hub 15, and a second reel plate 16. The reel assembly is removably mounted on a shaft 17 by means of a suitable nut 18, washer 19, and Cotter pin 20. The reel plates define an annular support 21 for carrying a coil 22 of flexible material, such as steel strapping 22', to be unreeled `by drawing the `outer free end of the coil from the outer circumference thereof. As indicated above, the present invention comprehends improved means for controlling the unreeling of the coil 22 for improved starting and stopping of the unreeling operation.

More specifically, as shown in FIGURE 1, the strap 22 is withdrawn from the coil 22 about a dancer roller 23 which is carried on a first portion 24 of a rocker arm generally designated 25. The rocker arm is provided with a pivot portion 26 which is pivotally mounted on a pivot post 27 xed to the pedestal 12. The pivot portion 26 may be retained on the post by suitable means such as a nut 28. The rocker arm 25 further includes a second, lower portion 29 extending froml pivot portion 26 angularly to arm portion 24. A coil spring 30 is connected between rocker arm portion 29 and a hook 31 secured to a bracket 32 on the pedestal 12 to bias the rocker arm in a counterclockwse direction as shown in FIGURE 1.

The counterclockwse `biasing of the rocker arm 25 provides a selective braking of the reel 13 by pulling a `brake belt 33 connected at `one end 34 to the rocker arm portion 24 :by a U-bolt 35 and associated nuts 36. The opposite end 37 of the brake belt 33 is connected to a bracket 38 on pedestal 12 by means of a U-bolt 39 and associated? nuts 40. The brake belt extends about an annular brake drum 41 mounted on the reel plate 14'.

A conventional one-way clutch, generally designated 43, includes a hub portion 42 on the shaft 17 and an arm portion 44 which is connected to the rocker arm portion 29 by a connector assembly I45 illustrated in FIG- URE 3. More specifically, the connector assembly includes a bar member 46 having an elongated slot 47 facially juxtaposed to the `clutch arm 44 and connected -thereto 'by a pin 48 retained on the clutch arm 44 by suitable means such as set screw 49. A rod 50 is connected to a turned end '51 of the bar 46 by nuts 52 and is provided at its opposite end with a conventional ball joint `53 connected to the rocker arm portion 29 by a `suitable link 54 and nuts 55. Thus, the position of turned being pivoted in i The initial clockwise movement of end 51 of bar 46 relative to the rod 50 may be adjusted by nuts 52 to locate the pin 48 as desired in the slot 47. An adjustable stop 56 is mounted on the pedestal 12, having a shoulder portion 57 adapted -to be engaged by the clutch arm 44 in the clockwise extreme movement thereof about the axis of the shaft 17 as effected by the biasing of coil spring 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the shoulder is arranged to project approximately fy; inch. The nuts 52 are then adjusted to lbring the pin 48 to the left-hand end l5S of the slot 47, as shown in FIGURE y3.

When it is desired to dispense a length of strap material from the coil 22, the user merely draws on the distal end 59. As the coil 22 has `substantial inertia due to its relatively large Weight, the rocker arm 25 is rstly pivoted about the axis of pivot post 27 from the full line position toward the dotted line position of FIGURE 1. The strap 22 may be guided about the dancer roller 23 during this movement by a suitable strap guide 60. the rocker arm 25 coil spring 30 causes the upper arm portion 24 to move the end 34 of brake belt 33 rightwardly, as shown in FIGURE l, t-o release the braking action against brak-e drum 41. The slot 47 permits the rocker arm portion 29 to move a small distance in the clockwise direction before the pin 48 strikes the rearward end 61 of the slot A47, thus assuring that the brake is fully released before the arm 44 of the clutch 43 is swung in a counterclockwise direction about the axis of shaft 17 to initiate a counterclockwise rotation of the reel 13, as seen in FIGURE ll. Thus, in moving from the full line position of FIGURE 1 to the dotted 'line position of FIGURE l, rocker arm 25 firstly effects a release of the `brake and then effects an acceleration of the coil 22 in the unreeling counterclockwise direction of FIGUREI 1. After the inertia of the coil 22 is overcome and the clutch 4arm 44 has swung to the dotted line counterclockwise position shown in 4FIGURE 1 '(the rocker arm concurrently being positioned in the dotted line position of FIGURE l),

against the action of further pivoting :of the rocker arm 25 iS prevented by the engagement of a stop 62 on the rocker arm -portion 24 and a shoulder member 63 on the pedestal 12 whereby the clutch 43 overruns permitting the further dispensing of the coil strap Z2' by the tension force there-on at end `59.

So long as the counterclockwise angular velocity of the clutch arm 44 is greater than the counterclockwise angular velocity Vof the reel, the clutch engages and drives the reel. When the opposite condition exists, the clutch overruns without any driving lforce imparted to the reel.

The rocker arm 25 remains in the dotted line position of FIGURE l or dances between that position and the position shown in solid outline as long as sufficient tension is maintained on end 59 to continue the Withdrawing, or unreeling, operation. When the desired quantity of strap material 22' is dispensed, a removal of tension from end 59 permits the spring 30 to pivot the rocker arm in the counterclockwise direction, substantially immediately applying the brake belt 33 to the brake drum and thereby preventing undesirable overtravel of the coil 22. The rotational velocity of `the coil 22 is diminished. When it is desired to withdraw further strap material 22' from the coil, a pull on the `strap material 22 which urges the clutch arm 44 to exceed the angular velocity of the coil 22 will reaccelerate the coil 22 and assist in the withdrawal of the strap material 22.

The improved simplified structure for controlling the braking and acceleration of the coil 22 disclosed herein provides a highly advantageous, economical and substantially -maintenance free apparatus. The apparatus is effectively positive and quick acting as only a minimum number of parts are required, while yet accurate adjustment thereof may be readily eiected to provide accurate control of the desired functioning. The lost-motion connection between the rocker arm 25 and clutch 43 citeetively assures a proper release of the braking before acceleration of the coil is initiated. As shown, the connection of the brake `belt end 34 to the rocker arm portion 24 is closer to the pivot axis Iof the rocker' arm than is the connection of the clutch operating structure to rocker arm portion 29, as well as the connection of the coil spring 30 to the r-ocker arm portion 29. Thus, an improved positive braking action is provided.

While I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a coil unreeler having means for rotatively supporting a coil of exiblematerial to be unreeled therefrom as an incident of application of a withdrawing pull on a withdrawn portion of the coil material, and means for braking said coil, coil-unreeling control means cornprising: a rocker arm having a pivot portion supported for pivoting of the rocker arm about a preselected axis, a tirst arm portion carrying means for engagement by the withdrawn material to pivot said rocker arm in a first direction about said preselected pivot axis as an incident of a tensional unreeling force applied to said material beyond said engagement means, and a second arm portion; first connecting means connecting said first arm portion to said braking means to release said braking means when said rocker arm is pivoted in said iirst direction; and second connecting means connecting said second arm portion to said coil supporting means to accelerate said coil as a result of said rocker arm being pivoted in said iirst direction.

2. The coil unreeler means of claim 1 wherein said second connecting means includes a one-way clutch.

3. The coil unreeler means of claim 1 wherein said second connecting means includes a lost-motion connection permitting said braking means to be released prior to the acceleration of said coil supporting means.

4. The coil unreeler means of claim 1 wherein said second connecting means includes a one-way clutch having an operating arm connected to said connecting means, and means for limiting the movement of said operating arm.

5. The coil unreeler means of claim 1 wherein said second connecting means includes a one-way clutch having an operating arm connected to said connecting means, means for limiting the movement of said operating arm, and means for adjusting the throw of said second connecting means.

6. The coil unreeler means of claim 1 wherein the connection of said second connecting means to said Second arm portion is spaced further from said pivot axis than is the connection of said first connecting means to said rst arm portion.

7. The coil unreeler means of claim 1 further including means for biasing said rocker arm about said pivot axis in a direction opposite said first direction.

8. The coil unreeler means of claim 1 further including stop means for limting the pivoting of said rocker arm in said first direction.

9. The coil unreeler means of claim 1 further including means for preventing application of an acceleration force to said coil at standstill prior to release of said braking means.

10. The coil unreeler means of claim 1 wherein said engagement means comprises a dancer roller rotatably -mounted on said first arm portion of the rocker arm.

11. The coil unreeler means of claim 1 wherein Said second connecting means includes a lost motion connection in the for-m of a projection traveling between opposite ends of a slot, and bias means for biasing the projection toward one end of the slot when the braking means is braking the coil, movement of the rocker arm in said rst direction overcoming the bias means and causing release of the braking means by movement of the rst connecting means during an increment of relative movement of the projection toward the Opposite end of the slot, further movement of the rocker arm -thereafter causing acceleration of said coil supporting means as the projection engages the opposite end of the slot.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Falck-Pedersen 242-7543 Foster 242 75.43 Gamberini 242-7544 X Robinson 242 75.43

NATHAN L. MINTZ, Primary Examiner. 

